Data type
Unlike humans, a computer does not know the difference between "1234" and "abcd." A data type is a classification that dictates what a variable or object can hold in computer programming. Data types are an important factor in virtually all computer programming languages, including C#, C++, JavaScript, and Visual Basic. When programmers create computer applications, both desktop and web-based, data types must be referenced and used correctly to ensure the proper result and an error-free program.
Common examples of data types
- Boolean (e.g., True or False)
- Character (e.g., a)
- Date (e.g., 03/01/2016)
- Double (e.g., 1.79769313486232E308)
- Floating-point number (e.g., 1.234)
- Integer (e.g., 1234)
- Long (e.g., 123456789)
- Short (e.g., 0)
- String (e.g., abcd)
- Void (e.g., no data)
Depending on the programming language, there may also be many more data types that serve a specific function and store data in a particular way. Understanding the different data types allows programmers to design computer applications more efficiently and accurately.